Judith Kerr Books

An Iconic Children's Author 

Judith Kerr is a celebrated children's author and illustrator. Her works have been published in many languages and adapted for the big screen.

Born in Berlin in 1923, she and her family fled Germany just as the Nazi party came into power. They eventually settled in England in 1936, but her childhood experience from this period has been published in her trilogy, Out of the Hitler Time. Her children's picture books have been essential to children's nurseries for many years. The light-hearted adventures the characters all experience were all stories she used to tell to her children. For more Picture Books, be sure to check out our full range. 

The Tiger that Came to Tea 

The book follows a young girl called Sophie and her mother as a well-spoken Tiger appears at their door. The Tiger invites himself in for afternoon tea and proceeds to eat and drink everything they have.

Written and illustrated by Kerr, the book was initially created as a bedtime story for her daughter, but fifty years on from its publication, it is still one of the most popular children's books. The Tiger Who Came to Tea is available to purchase on our website. Perfect for The Gruffalo and Julia Donaldson fans, The Tiger Who Came to Tea is the ideal book for reading together. 

Mog the Cat 

Written and illustrated by Kerr, the seventeen-book series contains many adventures from the mischievous cat. Our Mog the Cat 8 Books Collection is the perfect gift for any child. These picture books are beautifully illustrated and set out in an easy-to-read format, making them ideal for bedtime stories. 

We also have Mog the Forgetful Cat available to order separately. In 2002 Judith Kerr published the final book in the series, Goodbye Mog, in which the beloved character passes away. This book has been a sad but excellent source for helping children cope with loss and grief. 

Out of the Hilter Time 

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit has quickly become an essential modern classic. This semi-autobiographical count tells the story of a Jewish family fleeing from Germany just before WW2, just like Kerr's family did. The Out of the Hilter Time Trilogy has been critically acclaimed and praised for its portrayal of the Nazis' takeover of Germany and the experience of being a refugee through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl. The fact that the books reflect on Kerr's own experiences makes the books even more essential and heartbreaking to read. 

We have the trilogy available to order here, Out of Hilter Time 3 Book Set. This series is aimed at ages 9+ due to the reading level. The books are at a much higher reading level than her picture books; with a handful of illustrations and chapters, it is an excellent series for any child wanting to broaden their reading library. For more books like When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit series check out Michael Morpurgo Books or Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian.